How to Apply

Interested applicants should provide a cover letter detailing their specific interest in the position, CV, and contact information for three references.

Job Summary

A Senior Scientist Lab Manager position is available in the Maurer laboratory at the University of Michigan. The Maurer Lab combines super-resolution microscopy with genomic, biochemical, and proteomic approaches to understand the vector-host interactions driving successful rAAV gene therapies. Read more about our research here: www.maurerlab.org 

The Maurer lab is a new laboratory starting in January 2025 and part of the Department of Biophysics which has a long tradition of education and research in the field. The University of Michigan Department of Biophysics has pushed the boundaries of traditional work in fundamental chemical sciences into the interface with other disciplines.

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

Why Work at Michigan?

We are so proud that the University of Michigan offers comprehensive benefits to support your wellness as you plan for a stable and secure future. To enhance a career filled with purpose and opportunity, other benefits include:

• Generous time off programs.
• Our retirement plan provides two-for-one matching contributions.
• Comprehensive options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses.
• Tuition support, including the ability to take undergraduate courses in LSA at no cost.
• Meeting-free days and communication norms that help you to "unplug" from work.
• Access to deals, discounts, and attractions; see Uniquely Michigan for details.

While you will primarily work from our central campus in Ann Arbor, LSA offers flexible work options. To support work-life balance, LSA has an email policy that limits non-essential emails to weekday business hours. We invite you to take a look at LSA's mission, vision, and values.

Responsibilities*

50% Under general direction of the faculty member, develop, design and conduct research using microscopy, molecular biology, and biochemical techniques, both cultured cells and animal models. Produce recombinant AAV vector preparations at medium scales and clone & maintain all plasmid stocks required to do so. Document, analyze and evaluate results; identify new research methods / techniques; identify and solve research problems.

25% Training and assisting Research Fellows, graduate students and undergraduate students with preparations, research techniques, use of instruments, methods and procedures to help advance the research objectives of laboratory. Has oversight of day-to-day operations; collaborates, reviews, and critiques data collection of other researchers; oversees safety protocols for the laboratory.

10% Responsible for the administrative, personnel and planning aspects of multiple current and future projects in the laboratory; writes reports for funding agencies; collaborates on the preparation of research proposals and applications for grant funding. Co-author or assist the faculty with the preparation of papers for publication.

15% Responsible for ordering laboratory equipment and consumables, maintaining adequate stocks and documentation of supplies, preparing and aliquoting reagents, oversee hazardous and nonhazardous waste disposal/removal, and ensure the lab is using environmentally responsible practices (i.e. minimizing plastic waste in landfills).

Required Qualifications*

Master's Degree or Ph.D. in Biochemistry or closely related field, successful completion of a minimum of five (5) years of research in a high-production laboratory; demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications; demonstrated expertise with reconstituted translations systems. Demonstrated experience in training and management in the areas of research project design, experimental design, and scientific writing. Demonstrated experience in staff / research management.

• Advanced mol/cell biology related degree (MS, PhD, MD) or BS with 5+ years experience in gene therapy, virology, or related research
• Expertise in producing recombinant AAV vectors at small- to medium-scales, including purification, titer assessment by qPCR and ddPCR, and quality control.
• Expertise designing and implementing rAAV capsid and vector genome variants
• Experience with inventory and ordering systems (candidate will be responsible for maintaining laboratory reagents and consumables stocks).

Desired Qualifications*

Experience in both bacterial and eukaryotic reconstituted translation systems; NGS data analysis, and theoretical familiarity with ribosome profiling methods.

• Preferred Experience administering rAAV vectors to mice and harvesting relevant tissues, but willingness to learn is sufficient.
• Preferred: Experience generating transgenic cell lines and maintaining stocks of cryopreserved lines

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, 12-month term-limited position with a possibility of renewal based on the availability of funding, the availability of work, and overall successful performance.

As one of the world's great liberal arts colleges, LSA pushes the boundaries of what is understood about the human experience and the natural world, and we foster the next generation of rigorous and empathetic thinkers, creators, and contributors to the state of Michigan, the nation, and the world.

To learn more about diversity, equity, and inclusion in LSA, please visit lsa.umich.edu/lsa/dei .

To learn more about LSA's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit lsa.umich.edu/strategicvision .

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.